Gov't happy Clinton choosing Japan for 1st visit as secretary of state

Friday 06th February, 02:51 PM JST

TOKYO —

The government on Friday welcomed U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s decision to visit Japan Feb 16-18, the first stop on her maiden trip overseas as the top U.S. diplomat. Clinton’s visit will also take her to Indonesia, South Korea and China. ‘‘Japan being the first stop reflects the importance President Barack Obama’s administration places on the Japan-U.S. alliance and carries great significance,’’ Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said.

In addition to holding talks with Nakasone, Clinton will meet Prime Minister Taro Aso. Nakasone said he expects to discuss a range of issues with Clinton, including the financial crisis, the North Korean nuclear issue, Pyongyang’s decades-old abductions of Japanese nationals, climate change, and global security. ‘‘What is important is to further strengthen the bilateral alliance through the talks,’’ Nakasone said. ‘‘Through high-level discussion between the United States and Japan, the world’ No. 1 and No. 2 economies, this will be an opportunity for us to contribute to resolving the global economic crisis.’‘

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Latest 15 of 26 Total Comments Show All

Sarge at 05:49 PM JST - 6th February

I miss Condi already.
Sarge at 05:52 PM JST - 6th February

Altria - I don't think Bill's coming on this trip.
czykent at 06:15 PM JST - 6th February

I seriously do not believe that will be of any effect to the US-NIPPON relationship...
Proffessor at 06:49 PM JST - 6th February

spudman, yes it is because of the geographical position and also for logistical purposes. They govt. shouldn't think they are a priority in anyway.
GW at 07:26 PM JST - 6th February

‘‘Japan being the first stop reflects the importance President Barack Obama’s administration places on the Japan-U.S. alliance and carries great significance,’’ Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said.

HA HA HAaaaaaaaaaa, Man I howl when I read these blurbs online & in my morning paper, Jpn is so infantile, for the J-govt, THIS is a major victory for Jpn!

Doh, Jpn for bloody once why dont you try to something real, of substance instead of acting junisai!
gogogo at 07:55 PM JST - 6th February

America is the 2nd largest economy, Japan is 3rd, 1st is the EU...
mareo2 at 08:20 PM JST - 6th February

America is the 2nd largest economy, Japan is 3rd, 1st is the EU...

With all due respect, that is of topic and as far as we know EU is not a single state, in fact looks like still some people there, dont like the idea of Europe becoming a super state like the USA yet. Talking about people that dont want to grow up, EU can be another good example.
onewrldoneppl at 10:59 PM JST - 6th February

"Japan being the first stop reflects the importance President Barack Obama’s administration places on the Japan-U.S. alliance and carries great significance," Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said.

is this the same nakasone who racistly said that Black americans IQ diminished america's average IQ scores? president obama, who is a black american, shouldn't even talk with that racist, old never-was. nakasone has never been the first anything, in his entire life.
SHOGUN54 at 11:11 PM JST - 6th February

Japan's inferiority complex in relationship to the US has possible roots within the psyche of the WW2 defeat. Coupled with a slew of self-reverence that rivals that of Narcisses (sp) it can be said that Japanese politicians revel in the memories of the imperialist Japan of old that commanded respect from other nations on the mere fact of being. The US defeated Japan and dictated its political climate through economic pressures for years. If Clinton is smart, and I think she is, she is going to play the game and bow deep and long in front of Nakasone and tell him what Japan needs to do to its DUTY to the US. I would not be surprised if the Japanese will send public money to the US to bail out their own investments prior to taking care of the homefront.

Cheers.
Mark_McCracken at 12:45 AM JST - 7th February

Aso should buy a matching set of ID bracelets, both engraved "USA and Japan. Best Friends Forever". She and Aso can wear them. Other nations will be so jealous.
OssanAmerica at 01:40 AM JST - 7th February

Aso should ask Hillary to ask Justice to direct the FBI to bust Watson and Sea Shepherd. They're already on the FBI eco-terrorist list anyway.
mushroomcloud at 04:13 AM JST - 7th February

"Japan being the first stop reflects the importance President Barack Obama’s administration places on the Japan-U.S. alliance and carries great significance,’’ Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said."

More accurately, Nakasone's comment reflects Japan's feelings of insecurity.
tclh at 04:24 AM JST - 7th February

This is no way a small news, it is big indeed. I feel that Obama administration has laid the first good foundation stone ,or so I hope, by recognising the importance of Japan. Places of sinificance should be in the order of good ,better country and not neccessarily the most heavily populated country. And don't forget Australia!
seesaw at 06:46 AM JST - 7th February

Hillary's coming to Japan? ha ha ha. I wonder how would those male-chauvinist Japanese politicians are going to treat her. Hey Hillary, pour me more beers please...?...
UnagiDon at 06:25 AM JST - 8th February

Prestige is important in Japan so I suspect that's one reason they're harping about it. I also suspect that many of those posters saying that the first stop on a tour doesn't matter would be commenting on Japan's decline if Japan weren't the first stop on this trip.